The Hallmarks of Physical Dependence on Alcohol
The alcohol consumption that you or a loved one engages in may not have seemed like a problem at first. What may have started out as seemingly innocent can easily progress into something worse. Even when everything seems completely fine to you. Alcohol abuse can come on gradually, and it will steadily begin to interfere with all aspects of your life. Your work will suffer, personal relationships can disintegrate, and other responsibilities you have will receive an impact because of alcohol. At some point, your body may come to need the alcohol, and there are hallmarks of physical dependence on alcohol you want to be aware of so that you realize when you or your loved one may need professional help.
A Physical Tolerance to Alcohol
There will come the point where, because of the alcohol consumption a person engages in, the body will build a tolerance to alcohol. Just as is the case with certain medications, your body gets used to have alcohol in its system. So it will tolerate certain levels of the substance. As this tolerance grows and builds, the body requires more and more alcohol to get the desired euphoric effects. This steady increase in what is consumed can lead to abuse and addiction.
Physical Withdrawal Your may Feel
Another sign of physical dependence on alcohol is that the body will experience physical withdrawal symptoms. This will happen any time that there is a reduction in the amount of alcohol you consume. Since the body has become accustomed to having the high levels of high alcohol when these levels are not reached withdrawal symptoms will set in. Issues like nausea, vomiting, anxiety, tremors, rapid heartbeat, insomnia, and others can arise. And they can cause physical complications until more alcohol is consumed again. Alcohol can be a very dangerous substance to quit without medical monitoring. Those who are dependent should absolutely detox under the supervision of a licensed medical doctor.
